University offers start to roll in for Upper Sixth Formers

The Michaelmas Term may already seem like eons ago, but it provides a focus point for the Upper Sixth in making decisions about life beyond the Moss Gates.

Whilst the crescendo of Carol Services and Christmas lunches providing a fitting finale to the term, the Higher Education office continues to roll well into the festive period, as universities start releasing their decisions and deadlines creep up. 

This year saw a bumper crop of applicants to the US and Canada, with the first decisions being released in late December.  7 Salopians have received early offers and places from US universities, which we will be highlighting over the coming weeks.  In a sneak peek, we are thrilled and delighted that the following have accepted their places:

• Nat T (EDH) at Harvard University
• Vuk Z (Ch) at New York University
• Felix K (S) at the University of Chicago
• Matt L (O) at the University of Pennsylvania
• Boris P (SH) at the University of Chicago
• Katie H (MSH), who has received a sports scholarship to Temple University
• Anni S (EDH), who has received a sports scholarship to the University of North Carolina

Other early offers have come from places like the Universities of Vermont and Iowa, as well as McGill University in Canada. Though my mantra is always the ‘right fit for the right individual’, it is pleasing to see Salopians secure places at some of the most competitive universities in the world, with acceptance rates of under 4%. We look forward to seeing how those not applying for early decisions fare in the coming months.

For those applying to UK universities, it has been pleasing to see over 150 Salopians receive at least one offer.  Waiting to hear back from universities can be a frustrating time, though my advice is not to ponder too much, for each institution handles the process differently.  Indeed, some will not release their decisions until April, but we will be on hand to offer guidance on how to whittle down to two final choices.  Equally, it is exciting to hear of musicians and actors heading off to auditions at prestigious conservatoires and drama schools, proof of the depth and strength of Shrewsbury’s creative forces.

The Futures team now begins to turn its head to starting the Lower Sixth planning process.

Toby Percival

Head of Higher Education